[img_inline align=”” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/fivedays2009.jpg” caption=”Commerce students Marcin Bugajski, Vikas Patel, James Maxwell, Greg Morris will be living homeless for the next five days.”]University students are used to staying on campus for long hours studying, and many claim that they have no money. However, not too many could say that they lived at McMaster for five days straight, slept outside at night, and begged for food.

On Sunday, March 15 at 3 p.m. four McMaster Commerce students began the 5 Days for the Homeless Program. Until Friday, March 20 at 3 p.m. Marcin Bugajski, Vikas Patel, Greg Morris and James Maxwell will be living outside of the McMaster University Student Centre. Their goals are to generate awareness with the community about homelessness as well as promote humanitarianism.

The students must remain on campus for all five days. They cannot have any disposable income and can only access food, drinks and money through begging. They may not shower, and they also have to go to all of their classes and fulfill all academic responsibilities.

Both Bugajski and Morris are excited to see McMaster students become involved and engaged in this project. “It's important for Mac to get involved with the community and to show that we are reaching out,” Bugajski states.

These Commerce students see business as a force for good. “We want to create change, not only on a temporary basis, but permanently. Instead of keeping homelessness on a plateau, we want to reduce it,” explains Bugajski.

Adds Morris, “It's become a necessity within the corporate world to give back.”

Last year the 5 Days for the Homeless event at McMaster raised $7,915.58, and the students hope to double this year's contribution to $16,000. Funds are collected throughout the week, with a food and clothing drive on Wednesday, March 18. All food, items and money will be donated to The Good Shepherd Centres which provides shelters, food and programs for men, women and youth. “The Good Shepherd has phenomenal programs and we want to contribute as much as we can,” states Morris.

When it's all over, the participants expect to have a different outlook on homelessness. Bugajski states, “It's going to be a humbling experience. We're going to see a glimpse of what it's like to be on the streets.”